The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-11-24
CAPTURING CAROLINA.
McLane's Bravado and the KesuIt--PIau-
hihS " Campaign Against "tho bourbon
Gibraltar"
editorial of the Boston journal


editorial of the Boston JournalD
There Is an ovidont disposition in the
North to look on South Carolina as the
mlghtIest stronghold OF B0urb0nism in
the entire country, and the fact that
there Is strong aud growing Indcpend-
cnt party in thut State, which, sooner or
later, IS destined to hold the rcins of
power, will not be accepted in this reQiou
without some c0gont proof. Such proof
hon. D. Hendrix McLaue, the Indopend-
ent candidate for Governor in 1880, and
perhaps tho most conspicuous leader of
tho new departure, submits in anothc,
column, 30 the journal renders. The
one thing which the South Caroline In
dependents most kecnly feel the need OF
Is the generous and active sympathy of
the Republic0us of the North, and in re
turn Tor this they are willing t. do all
they can toward the election of q Rppub-
lican President in 1888.
My. McLanC maintains, and gives {ho
! figures on which his belief is based, that
| South Carolina on Il free ballot and fair
count Will reject the Bourbons by an
overwhelming vote. Without N0rth,rD
republican assistance m honest elcctiun
Is regarded as sheer inlp0ssihility, SO
strongly ere the Bourbons entrcpchcd
IN power, but their very audauity is las
tenlng their overthrow by ahennting the
best elements of the Democratic party in
the State. Is is the WIDESPREAD and
shameless corruption OF Bourbon rule in
South Carolina which has made its de-
feat actually easier to accomplish there
than i'll neighboring States, Tennessee,
Georgia and North Carolina, for in
stance, whose Democratic administers
tions are far less objectionable.
II the Republicans arc to make an
effort to break the Solid South next
year, the State Of South Carolina, in the
light OF MI. McLanoS S experience, would
surely seem to offer the greatest chances
for success. One thing is well worth
noting, and that is that tho independent
movement, which Nj. McUanc rcprc
scnt2, springs from the soil Of Suuih
Carolina, and has its strength among the
best classes Of tho State. 1t is no Gi-
version OF Northern adventurous anxious
to DC carried into Office 10y tho negro
vie. MIR. hlcLane III II few weeks re-
turns TO hlS nome alter Il short stay in
New England. lie has succeeded in in
tereStiEG in his cause several Of the fore
most Republicans Of this section, and is
preparing to begin nt an early date q
vigorous campaign. 1t is more than
possible That the Bourbon Gibraltar may
be tue first point in the Solid South 20
yield.
~. nynuIlx Mclane in the boston J0urnal)
Mr. McLano was asked, "What excuse
do the Democrats Offer FOR this wholesale
fraud?' He replied:
"None at ull, except that their party
claims that they must and will hold
power in spite of law or right. The
bourbon used to claim that wealth and
intelligence should govern the State;
thAt ignorant negroes shOnid not hold
Office nor rule IN public affairs. The
Northern people seemed satisfied with
this excuse, and were willing to accept
this Bourbon plea us somewhat Of an
cXoneration for fraud in elections. BuV
this was u false promise, q lie to begin
! with, q Bourbon device to deceive. The
cOlOrcd people never did ciamOr lol
! Office and rs a race are now and always
! have been in favor Of good and cOmpc-
| tent men filling the offices. There was
never II time since they have been voters
but when the best white mon III the STATE
. could not have been elected to Office by
the help OF cOlOrGd voters if the whites
had been WiSC and far. In 1882, when
tle greatest frauds that ever had bccl
known were committed, they were no
committed against ignorant negroes, Dn
moro especially against native white mcn
In respect to the intellectual ability, so
cial standing and financial worth, the In
depenacut nominees would not suffer b,
comparison with the Democratic ticket
Had it been left to the cducationa
7 qualification of the voters tho number o
5 votes for the In2epCndcnt ticket Woul,
! f,,. hD Of
for the Democratic ticket. The vote O
| the most intelligent and wealthy man i
! the Stnto is not may more secure uudc
9 bourbon management tnuu is the vpt
: Of tho most ignorant and pennies
, negro"
. do You think the Republicans coul
carry the State in 1872"
= "Thcy can, and | speak adYisedl
=, when j say that the Independent
r. throughout the State think the sam
=. South Carolina can be carried for Il
L: National Republican ticket next yc,
&c easier than any other State in tho cOu
II try. In voting for Congressman III
n Presidential electors we can prOVi(
IL against the whole frauds duscfi0Gd ii Il
&c Bourbon methods Of carrying State a.
I county elections. The United Stat
, statutes provide for the appointment
'' supervisors FROM each party IN COn8rt
- BiOnal elections. Thus the lndcpcndcl
~, would have supervisors to look off
~ their interests at the polls and assure
~ honest vote. Yho BourDons, knowi
or this, have separated the State from
IT.. Federal election, and have thus nho'
W. chat they know they cannot hold
TO State in national contest if the Repr
he leans Of tho North encourage tho lnl
siA pcndents to make campaign. 10 {
cd down 10 figures, know that in that c'
ot the vote would stnnd about as folio
b" The whole strength Of the BOurbC
h% does not exceed $4,000 of the 80,
'Gh white voters, and this is less than O.
.h' fourth of the voting population. Tn
are about 1870, GOO cOlOred voters, al lo
100, 600 Of whom can safely he colm
e., on to go with tho white IudependcI
ok Allowing that 10000 negroes and l0,t
~, whites DO not vote, from yarious cans
os. you sec thoro would be Gn opposing Y
a. of 100, 900 negroes and $4,000 lndcpc
en- onts rs against $4,000 bourbon yo
b. which would mako q clear majority
tn" IS, 900 for tho Independents. Snch
no, overwhelming rjority cannot be COZ
al ont If tEn National BnDubliGan If